The nearest country is taking to the streets – the young people are leading the way

Bulgaria is one of the popular destinations for Israelis, and within a short flight distance, there is a destination with reasonable prices, with good food, ski resorts and beautiful beaches in Varna and Burgas. Thousands of Israelis fly there every year, and some have already purchased apartments or invested in local businesses. That’s why the pictures coming from Bulgaria in the last few days are causing a lot of raised eyebrows: the country is in the midst of the biggest protest wave since the fall of communism in 1989, a protest that is changing Bulgarian history before our eyes.

Behind the familiar beaches, the ski resorts, and the nightlife, stands a whole society struggling with questions of corruption, justice, the rule of law and its democratic future. For many in Bulgaria, this is the first time in decades that they feel their country can really change direction. The young generation is pushing the country in a more transparent, democratic and modern direction. The results of the protest may shape the future of Bulgaria, and perhaps also the face of the entire region.

What is actually happening in Bulgaria now?

The current wave of protests began as a protest against the proposed government budget for 2026. But within a few days it became clear that the budget was only the trigger. The protests quickly turned into something much broader: a national fight against corruption and what many describe as the “occupation of the state.” A large part of the Bulgarian population is convinced that for years the country’s central institutions have been under the influence or control of powerful political figures such as Dalyan Pevski, a politician who was sanctioned by the US for high-level corruption, and former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, who ruled the country for more than a decade.

The protesters claim that corruption at the top of the state is stifling Bulgaria’s development, delaying important reforms, and limiting the opportunities available to young people. Many fear that if Bulgaria does not deal with these problems now, it could be left behind in relation to the post-communist Eastern European countries that have already managed to make a leap forward such as Romania, the Czech Republic or the Baltic states.

One of the prominent features of the protest is the role of members of the Z generation. Many young people, some of whom have studied or worked abroad, have become a major force: they lead campaigns on the networks, organize demonstrations, and create viral content that presents allegations of corruption. This digital activity distinguishes the current protest wave from previous protests and helps generate broad public support. A survey by the MYARA agency found that 71 percent of Bulgarians support the protest, most of which was held even before the huge demonstration on 1 in December, and it is estimated that today the figure is even higher.

Demonstrations were held in most major cities in Bulgaria, including many destinations known to Israelis. Sofia, the capital, is of course the center, and last week between 100,000 and 120,000 people took to its streets, the largest concentration since 1989. The protests are expected to intensify on December 10, when the parliament will vote on a motion of no confidence in the government. Despite their size, the demonstrations are orderly, organized and relatively quiet.

Varna, a destination especially loved by Israelis, has become the second most important focus. The new mayor has been detained for five months on suspicions of corruption that many claim were invented. He himself stated that he does not believe that anyone other than Paivski is behind the arrest, and this case has become a symbol of the protestors’ claims of misuse of the legal system to exert political pressure. Plovdiv, Burgas, Rusa and Voliko Tarnovo also register high participation, sometimes led by students and young professionals.

The protests are civil, non-violent, and concentrated in well-defined central areas. Daily life in the country continues as usual. Flights are operating as usual, hotels and resorts are open, ski resorts are fully operational, and shopping centers and public transportation continue to operate without interruption. Most of the demonstrations take place in the evening, and the main roads are closed only for short periods coordinated in advance.

Israeli visitors to Sofia should avoid the area around the parliament in the evenings, but all tourist centers, restaurants, clubs and shopping malls continue to work unchanged. In Varna, the protest is centered around the city hall, far from the promenade and beaches popular among Israelis. Winter tourism in Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo is conducted as a series. Tour operators and airlines report zero cancellations, and the ski season opened as usual.